Headley takes cuts at Jays hurler, who’s not so tweet
CHASE Headley had strong words for Toronto pitcher Marcus Stroman after Monday’s two benchclearing incidents against the Blue Jays, saying the Long Island native “was friggin’ screaming at our guys when he’s pitching (on Saturday), yelling at our guys to get off the field when he’d strike someone out.”
Stroman struck back with a tweet presumably aimed at Headley on Tuesday, which read: “Lions never concern themselves with the opinions of sheep. Never.” He also fired back directly at Headley to reporters in Toronto before the Jays’ win over Baltimore.
“Chase Headley has no idea who I’m talking about. Nor do I care at all what Chase Headley has to say, to be honest with you,” Stroman said. “I couldn’t care less what other teams think of me or my team. We play with a lot of passion. We play with a lot of heart. And we’re not boring. Boring people have problems with that. But we’re not concerned with them.”
When Stroman’s tweet was relayed to Headley before Tuesday’s win over Boston, he said, “I have no comment on that, he can say what he wants to say, but you can watch the video.”
Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi were in contact with Major League Baseball on Tuesday, and the Yankees’ manager expects pitcher Luis Severino to be suspended for his part in the second bench-clearing incident.
“Everything that has happened in the game of baseball would tell you that he would be (suspended),” Girardi said before the Yanks staved off postseason elimination. “But I’m going to argue that he shouldn’t be, just because, the situation I think was handled very poorly...If he’s suspended, there’s no doubt in my mind (Toronto pitcher) J.A. Happ should be suspended (for hitting Headley earlier in the game).”
’HIRO OF THE DAY
Masahiro Tanaka still hopes to make one more start this season.
The AL ERA leader (3.07) missed his previous start due to a flexor mass strain in his right forearm, but Tanaka claimed through his translator to feel “nothing at all” after throwing 25 tosses from 60 feet on Tuesday.
“Obviously I do want to pitch (on Saturday against Baltimore), but I think the team will ultimately make that decision,” said Tanaka, who expects to long toss on Wednesday.
Tanaka has thrown 199.2 innings, his most in four years with the Yanks.
STAR SIGHTING
After pinch-hitting on Monday, Starlin Castro (1-for-4) was back in the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a Grade 1 right hamstring strain on Sept. 17.